PLOCE: the repetition of a word with few words in between, or repeating the same word in the same line or clause. Also one of the most used figures of stress. Example 1 (from Shakespeare’s King Richard III) Duchess: Make war upon themselves - brother to brother Blood to blood, self against self.
--Richard III, Act II, Scene iv, Lines 62-3
Effect: Here, Shakespeare uses ploce (the words “blood”, “brother” and “self” are repeated) to emphasize the degree of brutality of war. The Duchess, who has lost her husband and whose sons have faced many misfortunes, seems thoroughly disgusted by the concept of brothers fighting brothers, which is almost like one fighting oneself, because it is something that is highly unnatural, unnecessary and reprehensible.
Example 2 (from Robert Frost’s “Mending Wall“)
“Where they have left not one stone on a stone,
But they would have the rabbit out of hiding,” (7-8)
Effect: Here, the use of ploce of the word “stone” creates a visual image of rocks being stacked one on top of the other. However, in context, the hunters have actually taken apart the stone wall, and so there is no pile of stones. Thus, because there is no ‘stone on a stone”, the absence of a stone wall is emphasized. Also, ploce is used here for an auditory effect; the syntax of the phrase “stone on a stone” creates a heavy rhythm, further amplifying the visual imagery.
Example 1 (from Shakespeare’s King Richard III)
Duchess: Make war upon themselves - brother to brother
Blood to blood, self against self.
--Richard III, Act II, Scene iv, Lines 62-3
Effect: Here, Shakespeare uses ploce (the words “blood”, “brother” and “self” are repeated) to emphasize the degree of brutality of war. The Duchess, who has lost her husband and whose sons have faced many misfortunes, seems thoroughly disgusted by the concept of brothers fighting brothers, which is almost like one fighting oneself, because it is something that is highly unnatural, unnecessary and reprehensible.
Example 2 (from Robert Frost’s “Mending Wall“)
“Where they have left not one stone on a stone,
But they would have the rabbit out of hiding,” (7-8)
Effect: Here, the use of ploce of the word “stone” creates a visual image of rocks being stacked one on top of the other. However, in context, the hunters have actually taken apart the stone wall, and so there is no pile of stones. Thus, because there is no ‘stone on a stone”, the absence of a stone wall is emphasized. Also, ploce is used here for an auditory effect; the syntax of the phrase “stone on a stone” creates a heavy rhythm, further amplifying the visual imagery.